SAGA 2nd Edition

SAGA is a miniature-agnostic, skirmish-level tabletop wargame. Set primarily in various “heroic ages” (historical, mythological, or fantasy), the game focuses on small, elite warbands of roughly 30–50 infantry or cavalry figures led by a central Warlord.

It is renowned for its Battle Board system, which acts as a “tech tree” for each faction, allowing for deep, tactical, and asymmetrical gameplay while keeping core unit rules simple.

Core Gameplay Mechanics

Scale: Skirmish, typically played with 4–8 points (roughly 25–70 miniatures) per side on a 3×4 foot board.
Unit Types: Units are generally categorized into three types: Hearthguard (elite), Warriors (mainstay), and Levy (cheap levies/missile troops).
The SAGA Dice & Battle Boards: Players roll special SAGA dice (customized for their faction) at the start of their turn and place them on a “Battle Board” to trigger special abilities, enhance combat, or activate units.
Fatigue Management: A key mechanic is “Fatigue,” where units gain tokens for multiple actions, making them easier to hit or less effective. Managing your own fatigue while exploiting the opponent’s is critical.
Turn Structure: Alternating turn structure, usually played over 6 turns, resulting in fast-paced game
Key Settings and Eras

SAGA is divided into several “Ages” or supplements, allowing players to fight in various historical and fantasy periods:

Age of Vikings (Dark Ages): The original setting (793–1066 AD), featuring Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, Normans, Welsh, etc..
Age of Crusades: Covers the 11th–13th century in the Holy Land and Europe.
Age of Invasions: Late Roman Empire and Migration Period (4th–6th Century).
Age of Hannibal/Alexander: Antiquity-based, covering Greek, Roman, and Carthaginian warfare.
Age of Alexander: Ancient Greece: Persian Wars through Alexander the Great and more
Age of Chivalry: Hundred Years War 1337 to 1453
Age of Magic: A fantasy variant using the same core mechanics, allowing for wizards, monsters, and mythical creatures.
Characteristics of SAGA

Cinematic Gameplay: It emphasizes “Hollywood History” rather than strict simulation, focusing on heroic actions and fast, brutal combat.
Miniature-Agnostic: While Gripping Beast makes official models, the game allows players to use 28mm figures from any manufacturer.
High Replayability: The combination of over 50 distinct, highly tailored factions makes the game very varied.
Easy to Learn, Hard to Master: The core rules are straightforward, but the tactical depth of the Battle Boards provides a high skill ceiling.

Components Needed to Play

SAGA Rulebook: (Currently 2nd Edition).
Age Supplement: The specific book for your chosen era (e.g., Age of Vikings).
Warband: 30–50, 28mm figures.
SAGA Dice: Specific to your faction (or printable substitutes).
Battle Board: Cardstock for your faction.
Tape Measure & Standard D6 Dice.

Genre: Fantasy, Ancients (up to 500 AD), Medieval (500-1400)

Scale: 28 mm

Average Models per Side: 20 to 50, 51 and Over

Number of Players: 2, 2+

Miniatures: Agnostic, Dedicated

Rules: Purchased Hard Rulebook

Availability: In Print

Publisher: Studio Tomahawk, Gripping Beast

Designers: Alexandre Buchel

Year Released: 2018

Website: Gripping Beast - SAGA
Website: Studio Tomahawk - SAGA

Additional Information:

While the game is miniatures agnostic Gripping Beast has a wide range of dedicated figures available for the game.

To play you need the base rule book and one of the supplements

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Webpage: Getting Started with SAGA by Goonhammer

Webpage: SAGA Review by Brushes & Bayonets

Youtube: How to Play SAGA Series by Rodge Rules

Youtube: SAGA An In Depth Analysis by Wargames Illustrated

Youtube: How to Play SAGA by Wargameshobby

Book of Battles – A Collection of scenarios and additional rules for any SAGA Universe

Universes

Age of Vikings (Dark Ages): The original setting (793–1066 AD), featuring Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, Normans, Welsh, etc..
Age of Crusades: Covers the 11th–13th century in the Holy Land and Europe.
Age of Invasions: Late Roman Empire and Migration Period (4th–6th Century).
Age of Hannibal Covers the three Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage that took place between 264 and 146 BC.
Age of Alexander: Antiquity-based, covering Greek, Roman, and Carthaginian warfare.
Age of Magic: A fantasy variant using the same core mechanics, allowing for wizards, monsters, and mythical creatures.
Age of Chivalry Conflicts between the kingdoms of France and England and their allies that ran from 1337 to 1453.